that it is a
long way round. Therefore it makes it much shorter if one comes on the
land and drives across the field to the river. Thus I have spared
myself quite half a mile, and have come much quicker to my
sea-cattle!'

'Oh, you're a lucky fellow!' said Big Klaus. 'Do you think I should
also get some cattle if I went to the bottom of the river?'

'Oh, yes! I think so,' said Little Klaus. 'But I can't carry you in a
sack to the river; you are too heavy for me! If you like to go there
yourself and then creep into the sack, I will throw you in with the
greatest of pleasure.'

'Thank you,' said Big Klaus; 'but if I don't get any sea-cattle when I
come there, you will have a good hiding, mind!'

'Oh, no! Don't be so hard on me!' Then they went to the river. When
the cattle, which were thirsty, caught sight of the water, they ran as
quickly as they could to drink.

'Look how they are running!' said Little Klaus. 'They want to go to
the bottom again!'

'Yes; but help me first,' said Big Klaus, 'or else you shall have a
beating!'

And so he crept into the large sack, which was lying on the back of
one of the oxen. 'Put a stone in, for I am afraid I may not reach the
bottom,' said Big Klaus.

'It goes all right!' said Little Klaus; but still he laid a big stone
in the sack, fastened it up tight, and then pushed it in. Plump! there
was Big Klaus in the water, and he sank like lead to the bottom.

'I doubt if he will find any cattle!' said Little Klaus as he drove
his own home.

PRINCE RING[30]

Once upon a time there was a King and his Queen in their kingdom. They
had one daughter, who was called Ingiborg, and one son, whose name was
Ring. He was less fond of adventures than men of rank usually were in
those days, and was not famous for strength or feats of arms. When he
was twelve years old, one fine winter day he rode into the forest
along with his men to enjoy himself. They went on a long way, until
they caught sight of a hind with a gold ring on its horns. The Prince
was eager to catch it, if possible, so they gave chase and rode on
without stopping until all the horses began to founder beneath them.
At last the Prince's horse gave way too, and then there came over them
a darkness so black that they could no longer see the hind. By this
time they were far away from any house, and thought it was high time
to be making their way home again, but they found they had got lost
now. At first they all kept